鞋子
xiézi
In Chinese, the word for shoe is 鞋子 (xiézi). Wiktionary also lists 鞋 (xié).
Meaning: protective covering for the foot (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 鞋子 | xiézi |
| 鞋 | xié |
The word refers to a protective covering for the foot. You can use it to form more specific terms such as 运动鞋 (sports shoes/sneakers), 高跟鞋 (high heels) and 拖鞋 (slippers).
Which one should you use?
鞋子 (xiézi) is the standard noun for shoes, whereas the single syllable 鞋 (xié) is frequently used in compound words or more casual, clipped speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Hokkien, the single syllable 鞋 (e) is commonly used for shoe.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting shoes, the measure word for a pair is 双 (shuāng), as seen in the phrase 一双鞋 (a pair of shoes).
How do you pronounce it?
xiézi
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, there is a deep superstition about leaving 鞋子 at the head of the bed. Doing so is believed to invite bad luck or is associated with funeral rites.
- In many Chinese households and businesses, guests are expected to remove their 鞋子 before entering. Wearing shoes inside a home is often seen as bringing outside dirt and bad energy into a private sanctuary.
- The character for 鞋 was originally built from the character for 'leather' 革 and a symbol representing ritual jade axes. This shows that the word originally specifically referred to leather shoes.
Examples in context
- 汤姆打开鞋柜拿出鞋。Tom opened the shoe cupboard and took the shoes out.This sentence shows how to use 鞋 when taking shoes out of a cupboard.Tatoeba #5663579 by verdastelo9604, translation #12891911 by rul
- 等下，我鞋帶散了。Wait a second. My shoe is untied.This sentence uses 鞋 to talk about a shoelace.Tatoeba #12295214 by DaoSeng, translation #3274456 by Aggriken
- 只有鞋子知道襪子的洞。Only a shoe knows about a hole in a sock.This sentence uses 鞋子 to mention a hole in a sock.Tatoeba #765588 by Martha, translation #7768567 by sharris123
- 你喜欢新鞋吗？Do you like new shoes?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
浩然 is getting ready to go out when 佳怡 notices something.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你的鞋子穿反了。Hàorán, nǐ de xiézi chuān fǎn le.Haoran, your shoe is on the wrong foot.
- 浩然 Haoran真的吗？我沒發現。Zhēn de ma? Wǒ méi fāxiàn.Really? I didn't notice.
- 佳怡 Jiayi快重新穿一下吧。Kuài chóngxīn chuān yīxià ba.Quickly put them on again correctly.
- 浩然 Haoran謝謝佳怡提醒我。Xièxiè Jiāyí tíxǐng wǒ.Thanks for reminding me, Jiayi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoe” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 鞋, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
